Karolyne Pickett, 34, grew up in Vanier, in Ottawa's east end. Her mother was born in the Glengarry-Prescott-Russell village of Embrun. Many of Karolyne’s family members and friends live in the riding, and as a Franco-Ontarian she feels right at home.

Karolyne completed a bachelor's degree in biology at the University of Ottawa before graduating from the University of Toronto with a Master's degree in ecology in 1999. Her partner Brendon is an environmental studies university professor. She has five years’ work experience implementing species at risk legislation. As a result, she has a solid understanding of how government works, and how to develop realistic policies that take into account the relationship between the environment, the economy and human health.

Karolyne exemplifies the Green Party's goal to increase the number of female MPPs at Queen's Park. “The Green Party is the only party that has a clear vision for the future", she says. "Everyone knows exactly what we stand for, and that we stand for it with integrity."